Decolonise Design Thinking: Tracing Colonial Shadows and Considering Our African Context

Decolonising Design Thinking: Embracing Local Wisdom?

Exploring the origins of design thinking uncovers its cultural biases and preference for European perspectives, sparking a push for more inclusive approaches to problem-solving methods that challenge unfair systems.

Design thinking, known for its human-centred approach, has the potential to revolutionise business, product development, and social innovation problem-solving. Yet, its Western roots can create challenges when applied globally. This matters to us, as we want to innovate in a Namibian context using design thinking.

Cultural Bias in Design Thinking

Have you ever considered that traditional design thinking, which emphasises rationality and efficiency, often reflects Eurocentric views? As Dr. Mark Mushiva, PhD and Prof. Heike Winschiers -Theophilus note in their guest article in our Innovation Nation publication

In African contexts, the philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"— can offer an indigenous emphasis and base for design thinking in Namibia.?

However, collective care and interdependence do not fit well into the individualistic 'empathy building' of conventional design thinking. Here, 'relation building,' which focuses on community and shared understanding, is more appropriate, and can provide an interesting approach to localising design thinking in Africa.

The Call for Decolonial Thinking

Decolonial thinking reveals how colonial legacies still shape modern practices. Despite the end of formal colonialism, these influences persist, affecting how knowledge is produced and applied. To make design thinking truly inclusive, we must rethink and adapt it to local contexts. When you next hear someone explain design thinking, we encourage you to critically consider in what ways it must be adapted to be decolonised.

Redefining the Model

The authors of our guest article, Design Thinking and Decolonial Continuities (Chapter 8), urge us to rework design thinking to align with local values in Namibia and dismantle its colonial biases. This shift isn't just about social justice. It's about creating a design process that genuinely resonates with our cultures and communities.

Towards Inclusive Innovation

Decolonising design thinking is a practical and moral imperative. It means moving beyond traditional methods to embrace diverse perspectives, and fostering a design practice that serves everyone equitably. Let’s challenge ourselves to innovate with empathy and inclusivity, respecting the richness of local wisdom.